# In praise of Roy Haynes: Tribute to the peerless Jazz drummer, as he turns 95: Videos, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2020/03/10/in-praise-of-roy-haynes-tribute-to-the-peerless-jazz-drummer-as-he-turns-95-videos-photos/
- Published: 2020-03-10T19:04:10+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Roy Haynes, the inexhaustibly propulsive drummer, bandleader and NEA Jazz Master,
turns 95 this week, on March 13.**

In his honor, we’re devoting this week’s Take Five to a handful of his indelible
performances on record and on film. Our announcers chose four of the picks, with
a personal story for good measure; our editorial director couldn’t resist making
a selection too. Happy listening — and don’t miss the slideshow above, featuring
vivid recent photographs by Jonathan Chimene. This one’s for Roy!

**Roy Haynes, “James”**

If Marvel had a jazz superhero, Roy Haynes would be the one. Defying time, he’ s
singlehandedly unearthed the Fountain of Youth. He _is_ jazz history, and the heartbeat
of countless defining moments in jazz. On this version of Pat Metheny’s “James” (
from the 1994 album _Te-Vou!_),_ _ joy pulsates with his every Snap, Crackle & Pop.
His polyrhythmic wonder bristles with syncopated fireworks and shimmering tonality.
It’s an earful, demonstrating how finesse and rhythmic ammunition can create the
perfect groove. No wonder Metheny calls Sir Haynes his “Number One Hero on Earth.”

**Roy Haynes Quartet, “Snap Crackle”**

Though he’d proven himself an indispensable drummer by 1962, and had made a few 
well-received albums, Roy Haynes took a leap forward with _Out of the Afternoon_,
which Impulse! released that summer. Driving a dynamite quartet with Rahsaan Roland
Kirk on reeds and flutes, Henry Grimes on bass and Tommy Flanagan on piano, Haynes
shows definitively that he has the instinct of a leader. A capsule review in _Billboard
_at the time took note of “drumming that’s woven into the musical context as in ‘
Snap Crackle’” — a perfectly on-the-nose appraisal. Listen, too, for the “Roy! Haynes!”
at the top of the track, which is an in-joke nod to Sarah Vaughan’s “[Shulie-a-Bop](https://youtu.be/Xl0lFLLKW0M),”
from the previous decade.

**Andrew Hill, “Smoke Stack”**

Roy Haynes is perhaps the first drummer of his generation to redistribute the role
of timekeeping to each member of an ensemble — allowing the percussion to become
an equal catalyst in a group, instead of functioning solely as a guidepost. His 
performance on pianist Andrew Hill’s 1963 composition “Smoke Stack” sets a benchmark
for modern improvisational drumming. Weaving in and out of the two-bass tandem of
Richard Davis and Eddie Khan, Haynes never seems to run out of stamina. In fact,
he displays endless creativity and invention, from intro to ending, that could stand
alone as a most impressive drum solo —a level of mastery that clearly engages and
inspires Hill.

**Roy Haynes, “Blue ‘n’ Boogie”**

This clip — from a Highlights in Jazz Charlie Parker tribute in April 1973 — is 
a mini-history in jazz drumming. Roy opens Dizzy Gillespie’s classic “Blue ‘n’ Boogie”
by keeping time on the hi-hat, in a throwback to the swing era. Notice the tuning
of the drums, particularly the snare. It’s high, mighty and in your face: an influence
from his old friend, Puerto Rican drummer and percussionist Willie Bobo. The _coup
de grâce_? Roy’s incredible solo. It’s conversational, employing stick click effects,
melody, mallets, mayhem — and a coolness factor, as Roy takes off his jacket while
playing the bass drum. The most important part? It’s timeless.

**Roy Haynes & Birds of a Feather, “Barbados”**

One night in the early 1990s, Roy Haynes had a gig at the Keystone Korner Tokyo.
We’ve been friends since the late-‘60s, but I was living in Tokyo at the time, and
it had been several years since we’d seen each other. As I walked into the club,
there was Roy at the bar sipping a cognac. I slid up to him and softly said “Hey
Poppa!” Roy, raising the glass to his lips, turned, looked at me and said “What?
I’m supposed to be excited because you walked in?” He finishes his sip, puts the
glass down… and turns to me with a wide grin and a hug. “Damn! Good to see you!”

Cats always talk about hipness; one form of that is self-control, and it was on 
display there with Mr. Snap, Crackle & Pop. We both claim Barbados in our family
blood line, so I’ll choose Roy’s version of the Charlie Parker tune, which he played
many a night with Bird.

![Roy Haynes performing with his Fountain of Youth Band at the Newport Jazz Festival
in 2013.](https://i0.wp.com/www.wbgo.org/sites/wbgo/files/styles/medium/public/202003/
Newport13_Day2-783.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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